LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF PATIENTS TREATED FOR HYDROCELE WITH THE SCLEROSANT AGENT SODIUM TETRADECYL SULFATE

The long-term outcome of 106 patients treated for hydrocele with the s clerosing agent sodium tetradecyl sulphate was examined. In a question naire distributed at a mean time of 40 months after therapy 83/86 (96% ) of the eligible patients responded and 95% of them were satisfied wi th the treatment and its long term results. The treatment associated p ain was evaluated on a visual analogue scale (0-10) the mean pain scor e was found to be 1.8 and the mean duration of the pain 2.4 days. When all hydroceles were considered the overall success rate was 88%. Side -effects were minor apart from two patients (1.9%) with diabetes melli tus who had an intense inflammatory reaction necessitating orchidectom y after sclerotherapy.